1967/03/01 by M. J. Coe · 7 citations
Psychology · Environmental Science · #Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior #Primate Behavior and Ecology #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1967.tb02117.x
openalex publication_date 1967/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Previous references to “necking” behaviour, and the main features of the study area are briefly outlined. “Necking” behaviour in giraffe takes place only in all male herds. When the animals are in a head to head posture the intensity is either high or low, but when animals take up a head to tail posture the actions are always of high intensity and appear to have greater sexual significance. The significance of “necking” is discussed, and it is suggested that these ritualized actions form an important sexuo‐social bonding mechanism whereby a hierarchy is created amongst the males, and movement between strictly bachelor and mixed herds helps to maintain contact between the sexes in this polygamous mammal.